IJssteker met ivoren handgreep 1850

This ice-cutter with an ivory handle was crafted by Pierre Louis Uriot. The handle, made of ivory, a material once associated with luxury, leads into a functional metal blade, a tool to break the frozen water. The tool serves as a reminder of how we've sought to manage and manipulate the natural world for our own needs. The very act of breaking ice carries a powerful symbolism, representing the disruption of the natural order, the breaking of barriers, and the control over an element of nature. Consider this: the act of consuming chilled drinks was once the exclusive preserve of the wealthy, evoking a sense of luxury. As we reflect on this object, we must remember that symbols are never fixed. They continuously resurface and evolve. In contemporary culture, the breaking of ice can be more metaphorical; think about the phrase 'breaking the ice' in social interactions. This ice cutter takes on new layers of meaning with the passage of time.